Oh man, what am I even doing? A Worm crossover, that's what. It's all the rage these days I hear, to write one of these.

Armsmaster, of the Brockton Bay Protectorate, considered himself fairly unflappable. He knew he had his shortcomings, namely an extreme case of social bluntness that often crossed the line into rudeness. He really couldn't help himself about it though. People were just...too finicky. Not like his machines at all.

Still, he was a professional. So when his helmet (and eyes) caught a massive explosion coming from a few miles east, in the docks area, he merely sped his bike up and radioed in that he was going to be first on the scene. The docks were the ABB's turf, and any disturbance of such a scale was likely to be the work of their 'illustrious' leader, Lung.

Arriving at the scene of the explosion, Armsmaster quickly found his assumption correct. Lung was in fine form this night, scales glistening in the light of a raging fire surrounding him and rather quickly spreading over the immediate vicinity. What had gotten him so worked up? There hadn't been any intel about an E88 attack, and the Merchants were still in the process of setting up shop. Only a fool would have provoked Lung like this. Or maybe...

"You seem upset. My request was a simple one was it not? I fail to see why you continue to fail to comply."

Damn it all, a new cape. Who had decided to pick a fight with Lung. The Lung. Well it wasn't the first time a new cape had done something stupid in an attempt to quickly gain a name for themselves, though this ranked high on the list of 'stupid shit to try to do for fame'.

'Female. Young, probably a teenager' Armsmaster's helmet helpfully located and isolated the voice from the roar of the inferno around him. He quickly jumped into the fray, aiming for where he detected the voice to be coming from.

"Lung! Stop this now and it doesn't have to escalate any further. Let the girl go and I will see that-"

Any further admonitions were cut off as a tail smashed into his side, launching him several yards into the side of a burning warehouse. His armor easily took the brunt of the impact, helped along by the walls of the building having been weakened by the intense flame.

"Armsmaster to PRT, Lung is on a rampage. Requesting assistance immediately. New cape on scene, need evac and containment."

"We read you Armsmaster, deploying containment squads. Assault, Battery, and Miss Militia are on the way, ETA 7 minutes. Can you hold for that long?"

He looked around. Lung was still standing roughly where he had been, looking around for either him or the girl. Where was she anyways? Lung didn't look much more developed then he had been, but that was still more than lethal enough.

"...Affirmative HQ, I can hold. I'd appreciate it if the whole team came though."

"Negative Armsmaster, Triumph is currently engaged in an investigation into the anomaly off the coast."

The voice hesitated a moment.

"We can deploy the wards if you feel it's needed sir."

Wasn't that the rub though. Deploy a much needed force multiplier and risk having several teenagers caught in a lethal crossfire with a madman, or keep them safe and risk his own self.

"Deploy them as part of the containment and retrieval squad for the new cape. Tell them they are NOT to engage Lung or any other ABB cape unless explicitly ordered."

"Will do sir, hang tight."

"Armsmaster. Are you injured? Do you require assistance?"

He spun around, halberd flying up reflexively only to drop when he realized the one speaking to him was the new cape he had heard.

Medium build, a bit on the slender side. A tad short for her age, nothing noticeable. Brown hair down to her shoulders. No costume, simply a...was that a dress? Yes it was, a pale blue dress accompanied by a white and blue raglan. No mask. Brown eyes, staring at him with patient curiosity.

"Girl, you are in severe danger. You need to evacuate while I contain Lung, and then we'll debrief you at the PRT."

"Hebert."

"What?"

"Hebert. Tayler Hebert. That is my name, Armsmaster. Not 'girl'."

"Well Taylor, you need to lea-"

The words were cut short as Lung shot into view, landing from what appeared to have ben a flying leap.

"Foun 'ou 'ou lil' 'unt. I'm 'oing 'o murah 'ou fo' dis."

Distressingly, it appeared Lung had used the time he'd spent contacting the PRT and talking to the girl-Taylor to further evolve his form, a reptilian snout now occupying the space where his mouth normally was, distorting the villain's speech into a nearly unintelligable slur.

"Taylor, run! Now!"

"Do not worry, Armsmaster, there is no danger to me at this time."

"Are you blind, Lung's right there!"

Lung decided to back this statement up by slamming a fist directly into Taylor's body. Armsmaster watched in horror as the entire top half of her body was simply ripped away from the bottom, splattering across the floor behind him. Lung smirked, or smirked as much as his visage would allow.

"Fagking 'idch."

He turned towards Armsmaster.

"'Uo'r 'urn."

A rage settled over Armsmaster, surprising him. He rarely felt such intense emotion. Stupid as the girl had been, no one deserved to simply be ripped apart like she had. He settled into a stance, bringing his halberd to bear.

"You've gone too far now Lung, It's the birdcage for you for sure. I'm actually going to enjoy this."

"Armsmaster, high energy reading from the anomaly! Heading your way and fast, looked like some sort of projectile!"

Triumph's voice, full of panic and alarm, filled his helmet. He barely had time to look towards the sea when a massive explosion rocked the ground around him, tossing him back several feet. Picking himself up, he looked to where he'd been and found Lung in a much sorrier state then before. Half his torso seemed to be gone, with shrapnel filling his legs. Even as the damage began to regenerate, Armsmaster heard a voice from behind him

"That was most unpleasant. I am beginning to believe that you will not acquiese to my demand, Lung. As such, I must take measures to ensure it comes to pass."

That wasn't possible, she'd been ripped apart. Turning to look, Armsmaster saw what was indeed seemingly impossible standing before him.

Taylor Hebert, standing without a scratch on her or even her clothes. The only difference between when he'd first saw her and now was the grin she wore on her face. Given the emotionless visage she'd originally presented, it was an unnerving site.

The grin grew larger, and she flung her arms up.

"It's time for a carnival!"